Selecting apparatus.



F. A WATKINS. SELECTING APPARATUS.

, A APPLICATION FILED SEPT- 30, 1909. I I '1,1.83.,923. Patented May 23,1916.

v 1 3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

v F/q/ W/Inesses: //7 vemar:

37???? M4 FredeH'c/rAI I af/r/m:

v I W 4/737.

F. A. WATKINS.

SELECTING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION'FILED SEPT. 30, 1909.

Patented May 23,1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- Hill JUL

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK A. WATKINS, HIGHLAND TIoN OF NEW YORK.

To all whom it may concern .Be it known that I, FREDERICK A. VAT- KlNS, citizen of the United States, residing at Highland Park, in the county of Lake and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Selecting Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

My invention relates to apparatus and mechanism for selecting and holding one of a series of contact positions under control of electromechanism in a manner characteristic of" automatic telephone exchanges and various .signaling systems.

The object of my invention is to reduce the number of independent current impulse transmitting devices necessarily employed to a number which is a fractional part of the number of selective or contact positions in theselector.

My invention consists of a plurality of keys or key-buttons, each corresponding to a definite numeral or numerals, and circuit arrangement whereby each key automatically becomes a units key, a tens key, a

hundreds key, etc., as may be required of it,

in the act of successively manipulating the keys. lVith my invention ten keys, that is one for each digit or numeral of the decimal system of notation, or even a lesser member, will suffice to produce all the operations which are brought about by the customary elaborate keyboard commonlyprovided with as many sets of ten keys eachas there are digit places in the highest number to be provided for.

The several features of my invention may be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings which disclose one arrangement for embodying the invention in a sender circuit for a S6111l-1I16Cl1i1111 cal telephone system.

The said drawings comprise Figures 1, 2 and 3, which, taken in sequence, show diagrammatically so much of the system as 15 necessary for the understanding of the invention. It will be noted that Fig. 2 is acontinnation of the circuits from the bottom of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 IS a continuation of'the circuits from the right-hand end of Fig. 2.

Referring to F ig. 1. the keyboard is there 'SllOWIl as provided with ten key-buttonsor keys, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 respectively corresponding tothe ten d gits of the SELECTING APPARATUS.

of the PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MEsNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, A CORPORA- Seria1 N 0 520,873.

tions of current by the manipulation of the I Patented May 23, 191(j.

key-buttons of the keyboard. The present inyention relates to the apparatus and circuit arrangementfor controlling the production of the signaling or selecting current which in the case illustrated is sent over the lines L,- L Since the invention as applied to a semi-mechanical telephone system is not limited to use in connection with any particular type of selecting mechanisms for completing the connection. with the called subscribers line, the showing of the latter apparatus and circuit arrangement therefor,

which may be of, the usual type, is omitted for the sake of conciseness and clearness.

In the particular embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the connection of the lines L, L with the lines 10, 11 sender circuit is initially under the control of the relay 12, the circuit of Which may be closed at contact throwing the usual listening key in adirection opposite to. the listening position thereof. The usual pulsator for transmitting selecting the one or the other of the lines 10 and '11.

A plurality of senders. S, S S S a thousands, a hundreds, a tens and a units sender, respectively, one for each 13 by the operator P may be employed pulsatieiis over order of digits in the highest number which it is designed to be called, are employed for controlling the application of current from the pulsator. The sending mechanisms may be of any desired type, those illustrated in the drawings being of the well-known stepby-step type having an. arm 14 controlled by a motor magnet 15 and a holding magnet 16, the motor magnet stepping the arm over a series of contact points any one of which may have its electrical condition predetermined by a key inthe keyboard to stop the arm 14 at this predetermined point and thus to control the duration ornumber of pulsations sent over the sending circuit by the pulsator ,P. In the particular mechanism shown each sender is provided with .ten con tact points p, 77 39 in, etc., cor-esponding tothe keys, ,0, 1, 2, 3, etc. contact 111 ing battery switching relay R, R

points are preferably arranged in two concentric rows of five points each, having each ,fof contact points, each brush. beingc'onnect required number of ed to a separate lead. v

The wetting, that is in this particular use the grounding, of any one of the contact points of a sender is effected by a series of grounding relays Gr, G G G G*, the

such relays .being reduced when corresponding contact points of the sender are multipled together in the manner just described... Each group of grounding relays G, G G etc., has a lead common to all the relays of the group, by which the relays of each group receive current through the contacts of a correspondor R of the group, this common lead of the thous I ands sender S being designated by the refrelays to the'next group,

' ercnce numeral 21. Each battery switching relay is adapted to switch the connection of the battery 13' from one group of grounding that is from the groupj associated with the thousands sender relay of ato the group associated with the hundreds sender and so on. v

The completion of the circuit for each group of grounding relays is made-at the contacts of the corresponding key, 0, 1, 2, 3, etc. Upon the operation of a grounding relay of one group, the clo of the its normal position comsureof contacts due to the return operated keyto' pletes the circuit R or R as the case may be, and switches the battery to the next succeeding group of grounding relays.

I, with the thousands sender controlling a wire 23 Each key, which may be of any desired type adapted to operate contact springs the associated circuits when depressed, is provided with a grounded contact spring or provided with a contact spring for each sender. Since in the particular system shown there are four senders, S, S S and S each key is provided with four of said those associated with designateda, b, c and (Z, respectively. Taking the fir'st or 0 key, for example, its contact spring a is connected to which includes the actuating windrelay associated ing of the corresponding 2 S, that isrelay In like manner the springs, 15, c, and

are connected by contact springs a Z connected to'thewindings of relays G senders, and so similar leads to the relays G associated with hundreds, tens and units senders, respectively. In "like manner the 0 and al of key 1 are sociated with the several fbrth. I

(Z respectively of key 5.

of the corresponding bat-- tery-switchingrelay R, ,40

springs 22, and is further- .tions and operations of Since I preferably multiple the contact point p with the contact point 19 the con-' tact point p with the contact point 79, etc., as above described, in order to reduce the number of grounding relays, I also multiple the contact springs a, b. 0 and (Z of key 0 with the corresponding springs a I)", 0 and a In like manner the corresponding springs of keys 1 and 6, 2 and 7, 3 and S, 1 and 9 are strapped together.

Each of the keys 0 to 9 inclusive is fur ther provided with a contact spring, normallyclosi 1g contact with a spring 22, that of key 0 being designated e. Referring to the key 0, the spring 0 has connected thereto a wire 21, which leads to a wire 25. The wire 25 has a series of taps 26, 27, 28 and 29 including the normally open contacts 9 of the grounding relays G associated with each of the senders S, S, S? and S ,s'aid taps also including the actuating windings of R, R R and In like manner the revided for the corresponding springs of the remaining keys, in order to control the operation of the battery switching relays, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

In order to avoid the necessity for a separate relay for grounding each contact point of the selector, each grounding relay is caused to control multiple points on the sender, and since this is the preferred arrangement it is the one illustrated inthe drawings and hereinbefore described. Obviously such arrangement is not essential, but where employed the contacts ofthe keys are correspondingly multipled together as hereinbefore described. In such case, it becomes necessary to introduce means whereby the manipulation of the keys 5, 6, 7 8 and 9 will notcause the selector arm 14. to stop at the contact points corresponding to the multipled keys 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Said means comprises relays T, T T spective senders, which relays normally hold closed the circuit of the brushes 19 of the respective senders, and which when energized break the circuits through the brushes 19 and close them through the brushes 20.

The energization of each trolled by an of the keys hereinafter more fully appear.

In order .to more fully set forth the func the mechanism and brush-relay is con;

extra contact spring f, 7, etc.,

the brush T associated with the re- 5, 6, etc., respectively, as will lot ' number 2728.

' with the lines 10 and s k y,

7 momentary :10

circuit arrangement hereinbefore mentioned in detail, the complete putting through of a call will now be described. I

Assume that the operator in' answer to a call has inserted the answering plug of the cord into the jack and has ascertained the number of the party desired, as for example,

The operator then momentarily throws the listening key in a direction opposite to the listening position thereof, thus closingcontact 13 and thereby completing the following path :from ground, battery B contact 13, wire 30, which includes the winding of relays 12 and 31, and,

resting contact of elay 32to ground This causes the energization of relays 12 and 31; and the operation of relay 12, by closure of-its contact 38. substitutes battery B for battery B thereby retaining relays 12 and 31 energized so long as contact 33 of relay 32 remains closed. Relay 12 furthermore breaks the contacts 31 and 35jand' closes the contacts 36 and 37, thereby shifting the lines L and'L leading to the selecting mechanism (not shown) from the connection with the cord circuit to connection 11, respectively, of the The relay 31 in operating from grounded battery B 17, and incidentally lights sending circuit. applies current to the feed wire the pilot lamp M. The retaining magnets,

16 of the several senders are energized by current from the wire 17, and draw up their pawls preparatory to the operation of the arms 14 of the senders S, S S and S After the momentary throw of the listenproceed to write off the number 2728 by successive depressions of the digit buttons 2, 7, 2, 8. The button first depressed, in this case the button 2, will act as a thousands button. The depression of said butt-on will break the contacts of the spring 22 with the spring 6 and will close the contacts of springs a 6 c and (Z thus connecting said springs to ground 58 .he closure of contact spring a completes the following path :from ground 58 through 22, b and (0 wire 41, actutact 42 of relay R to feed wire 17. This energizes the relay G which closes its contacts g and k The closure of the contact la completes a locking-circuit for relay G from ground 43 through contact 71 locking winding of relay G and wire 1'1 to the feed wire 17. The relay G is thus locked up so long as current remains on the feed wire. The closure of contact 71 of the relay G also grounds the contact point 72 of the sender S, such ground connection being traced from ground 43, through contact 71, and lead 45 to the contact point 79 Although the Wire 39 is still grounded through the closed contact 1 spring.e of the button 7, the resistance E" the cutting as above describechthe operator will is suflicient to prevent the operation of the battery 'switching relay R despite the fact that the following path therefor is closed, namely: from ground 58 through contact springs 22 and e of key 7, strapping connection 40 including the resistance E wire 39, contact g of relay G wire 26 which inchides the actuating widing of the relay R, to'the feed wire 17 As long as the button 2 remains depressed the closure of this circuit will not operate relay R due to the fact that out of the resistance E which is in parallel with the resistance E by the opening of the contact spring 6 increases the resistance of the circuit, and the relay B does not, so long as the-button 2 is depressed,

' receive suflicient current to cause the same to sistance in the above described circuit closed through relay R.

The relay R- now receives sufiicient current to be operated and closes a locking circuit for itself at contact 45. The relay R also breaks contact 12 and closes contact 46, thus transferring the current of feed wire 17 from the lead 21 of the thousand set of grounding relays to the lead 4:7 of the hundreds set. This'tran'sfer of current from one set of grounding relays to the next succeeding set takes place only after the operation of a relay in the group of grounding relays associated with the sender corresponding to the order of digits for which a key has been operated. lVhen the battery has thus been transferred from a group of relays, current c'an be applied solely to the relays of the sender corresponding to the portion of the call next under selection.

The closure of the circuit including the feed wire 17 and the wire 39 by the contact 9 of the relay G causes the energization of the relay 18, which thereupon closes contact 48, thereby applying pulsating current from the pulsator P over the following circuit; from ground through pulsator P,,contact 48, armature and contact 53 of relay 52, stepping magnet 15 to the line 10, which, as before stated. is now connected to the line L leading to the selecting mechanism. The operations involving the stepping forward of the sender arm 14 and the synchronous operation of the selector mechanism (not shown), and likewise the stopping of the sender armas soon as it reaches the selected contact point, in this case the contact point 79 is well understood. 'In this particular instance, as soon asthe brush 19- reaches the grounded contact point W. the circuit is completed from said contact point through the brush 19. normally closed' back contact 51 of the brush relay T, relay 52 to the feed wire 17. The consequent energization of the relay 52 opens the contact 53 in the circuit of the stepping relay l5 and thereby discontinues the operation of said relay, causing the arm ii to rest oncontact 7%. he contact 54 of relay 52 is now closed preparatory to the application of: pulsating current to the stepping magnet of the next succeeding sender S.

It will be observed that although the point as well as the point p of the sender S was grounded the former point was inefiectual to make any that the brush did not reach it in its travel. Had the button 7, for example, been depressed, instead of button 2, thus also grounding both the points pand p, the circuit through the brush 19, when said brush reached the point 29 would have been open a the button 7 will i and closing the manipulation vciated with the sender R? in this 'ing circuit for itself at H 'its. contact 58 and closes. its contact 09,

remaining operations due to succeeding sender,

presently selection of hundreds digit 7 number 2728. p

After the return of button 2 to its normal position, the depression of the button next to be operated, in the example given produce results similar to those produced by thebutton 2 with the added result, since the button is one of the last five of the series, of the operation of the brush relay T. The operation of said relay T associated with the hundreds sender S is brought about by the closure to ground of the contact spring f of the button 7 Such spring f is connected to a wire 55'leading to a wire 56, which ineludes the actuating winding of the relay. T and which leads nected, as hereinbefore stated, to the feed.

to the. wires? now con- Thev consequent energization of T in addition to closing a lockcontact 57, opens wire 17 the relay thereby opening the circuit of the brush 19 the circuit 0 Although the contact point S has been grounded by of key 7 the circuit of the, relayv the arm 1-): conthe sender S p of the sender the'brush- 19 and the contact 58, and hence tinues-its travel until the the wetpoint if, whereupon is completed from the grounded point, 72 through the brush '20, wire lay 60 to closedcontact '59, re the feed wire '17. The relay 60 thereupon operates to open the circuit of the stepping magnet'15 assothus causing'the point 19 he the depression of the button 7 are similar to those herein before desoribed 'in connection with the (le pres df the' button 2',"t'he'sw1 t ch1ng relay case operating to' transfer the feed wire 17 ;to the next that is, to the sendei"S?.-

arm 14: to stop at the contact connection of the circuit by reason of the fact f the brush 20 of.

60 is open at brush 20 reaches the circuit 61, the now 7 of the sender arm 14 of the unit's sender S on a grounded contact pointwill perform the:extra function of restoring the entire sending apparatus to its normal position, due to the fact that the energization of the relay 32 opens contact 33 in the circuit of relay 31, thus causing the deenergization of said relay 31 and the consequent opening of its contact through which the battery B is connected to the feed wire 17. The opening otthe contact 33' of the line 30 likewise causes the-deenergization of the relay 12 and the consequent closure of its contacts 3i and 35 through which the lines L, L are again connected to the cord circuit. v

For the sake of clearness a simple embodiment of the invention in a semi-mechanical telephone system has been shown. It is obvious that it may be modified to meet other conditions of a more compli- The landing cated system, and also that the invention may types of signaling systems. While ordinarily ten keys, one for each digit, would be employed, in practising my invention, it is obvious that the invention is not limited to such particular number. My invention merely'provides means whereby not more than ten keys are required for calling any desired number however many digit places such number may have. I

\Vhile I have shown my 'inventionTa-s, adapted more particularly chanicaltelephone' system, it must not. be considered as restricted to the form shown, nor to semi-mechanical telephone systems of the type indicated, or any other type. On the contrary it may with advantage be adapted to any system wherein itis desired to control the number and arrangement of impulses sent or received over the signaling circuit whether these impulses pertain to the setting of an indicator, the operation of a selector switch or the control of any other mechanism or mechanisms adapted to be variably set.

I claim: .1. In an electric signaling system, the combination with a keyboard having a plurality "of keys, each representing'a different digit or digits of the decimal system of notation. of a plurality of senders controlled by said keys, one sender being provided for each digit place of the highest number designed to be signaled, means for associating all of said keys with all of said senders and for automatically changing said keys from association with one sender to association with the next succeeding sender upon eachsuccessive manipulation of a key in transmitting a continuous signal, and a signaling circuit associated with said senders.

2. In an electric signaling system, the combination with a-keyboardhaving a plurality find uses in connection with still other for a 891111-1118} with each of 80 of keys corresponding in number and designation to the several digits of the decimal system of notation, of a plurality of senders controlled by said keys, one sender being provided for each digit place of the highest number designed to be signaled, means for associating all of said keys with all of said senders said means providingmeans for automatically changing said keys from association with one sender to association with the next succeeding sender upon each successive manipulation of a key in transmitting a continuous signal, and a signaling circuit associated with said senders. a

3. In an electric signaling system, the combination with a plurality of keys each rep.-

resenting a difl erent digit or digits of thedecimal system of notation, of a plurality 't place of the highest number designed to be signaled, said senders'having contact points corresponding .to said keys, a group of relays associated with each of said senders, circuit arrangements whereby the operation of any one of said relays determines the electrical condition of a.corresponding.contact point on the sender, circuit arrangements for operatively associatingsaid keys successively said groups of relays and for associating each key with a'corresponding relay of the particular group with which the keys may be associated, and a signaling circuit controlled by said senders.

ting a continuous signal, and a signaling 4. In an electric signaling system, the combinationwith a keyboard having a plurality of keys corresponding in number and designation to the several digits of the deciof a plurality of mal system of notation,

place of the highsenders, one for each digit est number designed to senders having contact points corresponding to said keys, a group of relays associated with each ofsaid senders, circuit arrangements whereby the operation of any one of said relays determines the electrical condition of a corresponding contact point on the sender, circuit arrangements for operatively associating said keys with each of said groups of relays and for associating each key with a corresponding relay of each group, said latter circuit arrangements also providing means forautomat1cally chang: ing said keys from association with one group of relays to assoclat-ion with the next succeeding group of relays upon each successive manipulation of a key in transmltcircuit controlled by said senders.

5. In an electric signaling system, the combination with a plurality of keys each representing a different dlgit or d1g1ts of the decimal system of notat on, ot a plurality of senders, one for each digit place of the highest number designed to be signaled, said senders having contact points corresponding contact points on be signaled, said ofsaid manipulated key is operated to transfer said keys to association with the next succeeding sender, and 'a signaling circuit controlled by said senders.

6. In an electric signaling system, the combln'atlon with a keyboard having a plurality of keys designated to correspond to the several digits of the decimal system of notation, said keys being multipled in pairs of a plurality of senders, one for each digit place of the highest number designed to besignaled, said. senders each having a plurality of contact points multipled in pairs to correspond with said keys, circuit ar rangements whereby the manipulation of one of said keys wets a pair-of multipled one of said senders, a brush relay for each sender controlled from said keys, circuits controlled by said brush relay for rendering the wet contact point corresponding to the manipulated key effective forcontrolling the operation of said sender and the other of said pair. of wet contact points ineflective', and a signaling circuit controlled by said senders.

7. In an electric signaling system, the combination with a keyboard having a plurality of keysdesignated to correspond to the several digits of the decimal system of' notation, said keys being multipled in pairs, of a plurality of senders, one for each digit place of the highest number designed to be signaled, said senders each having a pluralityof contact points multipled in pairs to correspond with said keys, a group of relays associated with each of said senders,

.clrcuit arrangements whereby the operation a group relaymassociated i lated key effective for controlling the operation of said sender and the otherof said pair of wet contact points inefiective, and a signaling circuit controlled by said senders.

' controlled by by;the operation of any one of said relays wets a corresponding pair of contact points on the sender, brush relayfor each sender controll d froNid "keys, circuits id brush r lay for rendering the wet contact point corresponding to the manipulated key effective for controlling other of said pair of .wet contact points ini efl'ective, switching relays for changing said keys' from operative connection with the senders adapted to signaling systems,

group of relays associated with one sender to the'group associated-with the next succeeding sender, circuit arrangements whereby,upon the return of a-manipulated key to its normal position, the switching relay associatedwith the sender under the control of said manipulated key, is operated to transfer saidkeys' to associationwith the next succeeding sender, and a signaling circuit controlled-by said senders. 9. In a controlling apparatus signaling single set for electric systems, the combination with a of digit keys, of a plurality of be controlled by said .keys, and means operated each successive time any one of said keyssis depressed for associating said set of keys with successive .ones of said senders.

10. In a controlling apparatus for electric the combination with a singleset of digit keys, of a. plurality of senders with one of which said keys are normally associated, and means operated upon the depression of any one of said keys for disassociating said set of keys and said I signaling systems,

sender and assoc1ating said set of keys with another of said senders.

11. In a controlling apparatus forelectric the combination with a -':-:et of digit keys comprising a single key representing each digit, of a plurality of senders adapted to be controlled by said keys, and automatic iii-cans for associating said set of keys with one after another of said senders, upon the successive operation of any keys of said set.

1:2. tric signaling systems, the combination with a set' of digit keys comprising a single key senders with one'only. of which said keys are normally associated, and automatic the operation of said sender and the In a controlling apparatus for elecof" a plurality ofmeans for associating said set of keys with another of said senders, the second sender being thus placed under the control ofany one of the keys of said set.

13. In a controlling apparatus for electric signaling systems, the combination with a single set of digit keys, of a plurality of senders adapted to be controlled by said keys, and means operated in the operation of said keys for successively associating said set of keys with a different one of said senders andfor placing said sent as successively under temporary control of any key of said seteach time a key is operated in the'transmission of a continuous si nal.

14. A selection controlling apparatus, comprising a set of keys, a plurality of groups of relays governed in common by said set of keys,'and a controller associated with each group of relays and having a movable member, the position of which is determined by the operation of the associated group of relays. 15. A selection controlling apparatus comprising a set of keys, a group of relays governed by said set of keys, a controller associated with the group of relays and having terminals greater in number than said relays and also being provided with a movable contact member cooperating with the terminals, the extent of movement of said contact member depending upon the condition of the associated relays, and means controlled by certain of the keys for determining Which of a plurality of terminals the operation of the relays shall render effective. 16. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a selecting device including a movable element having a number ofselective positions, means, for controlling said element including an electromagnetic device and a compound circuit; independently movable, electric impulse transmitters in'numbera fractional part of said selective positions, and means whereby the movement of a transmitter changes said circuit connections to provide a path for a succeeding impulse in said circuit, determines the position of said element and automatically restores normal circuit conditions.

17 In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a selecting deviceincluding a movable element having a number o'l' selective positions, an electromagnetic controlling device for said element, a compound circuit therefor including a battery branch; independently movable electric impulse fractional part'of the number of selective positions, multiple are electric connections for corresponding contacts-of said transmitters, a circuit breaker in each such connection, an electromagnet for each such circuit breaker, and circuit-connections for said 'ma'gnets -wherebythe transmitter first opertransmitters in number a atedl breaksthe circuit through its corresponding multiple connection in the otherpositions, parallel electrical connections betwe 11 corresponding contacts of a pair of said transmitters, connection and means whereby the operation of one of said pairs is ineffective upon the operation of the other.

19. In a selecting apparatus, the combina-.

tion of a rotating. shaft, a radial arm thereon, a series of radial contact positions for said-arm, a controlling magnet, a circuit therefor, a plurality of electromagnetic switches in said circuit, a series of independent impulse transmitters, in number a fractional part of said radial contact positions, and means whereby thefirst transmitted impulse? shifts one of said switches to provide a path for a succeeding current impulse and a resistance in each suchcontacts,

whereby said succeeding impulse stops the radial arm in a contact position. I

20. In a selecting apparatus, the'combination of a rotating shaft, a radial arm thereon, a series of fixed radialbontacts arranged in concentric rows, two contacts carried by said arm in position said fixed rows of contacts, respectively, an electrical connection between a contact in one row and a corresponding contact in the to engage with other row, "a controlling magnet for said radial arm,

a series of impulse transmitters in number a fractional part of said fixed an electrical connection between a contact in one transmitter and a corresponding contact in the other, and means whereby one duplicate contact is rendered inefi'ective when the other is operated.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 28th day of Septmber A. D., 1909.

FREDERICK A. IVATKINS.

lVitnesses NELLIE FITZGERALD,

J. S. RICHARDS. 

